While General Atomics’ Predator and Reaper drones are not licensed for export to India, Lall will be promoting a line-up of commercial products, besides the EMALS system being developed by the company.

Lall, who joined Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) two weeks back, is reporting directly to the Chairman and Managing Director, Mukesh Ambani. His brief is to stand up the new venture, which will focus on technologies like advanced material sciences and advanced communications technologies, that are likely to have a bouquet of applications in the homeland security, aerospace and defense sectors.

After more than 14 years of service, the head of Boeing Defense, Space and Security in India, is leaving the company at the end of this month. Dr. Vivek Lall has spent the last four years driving Boeing’s presence in the Indian defense market.

US defense and aerospace company Boeing is offering a charged-up engine to power its F/A-18 Super Hornet, in the race to win the Indian Air Force (IAF) tender for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA).

The US Navy has compared the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet to fifth generation fighter aircraft, making a strong pitch for its selection in the 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) contest of the Indian Air Force (IAF). It also said intends to keep the aircraft in service beyond 2035.